As part of the build-up to the first-round playoff series between the Capitals and the Rangers, Japers’ Rink will be looking at some of New York’s important but perhaps lesser-known players…
Vincent Trocheck
#16 | Center
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 187 | Born: July 11, 1993
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 13, 2022
Scouting Report (via CapFriendly):
- Trocheck empties the tank every game. There are some nights his detail ranges but there is no doubting his compete. Averages nearly 20:00 TOI. Deployed in all situations.
- Play driver off the rush.
- First choice is to, generally, get pucks to the net on his own – resulting in some ‘shot pass assists’
- Defensively committed.
- Battles.
- Excellent in the face-off circle.
- Takes key draws in all three zones.
- Solid second line center.
Why You Should Know Who He Is: Trocheck is probably one of the more underrated offensive presences on this high-powered Rangers’ team, often overshadowed by the Panarins and Kreiders of the world. But Trocheck can routinely be counted on for a 20-goal season, and this year was no exception. Trocheck makes up a third of the team’s top line, joining Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere, and only Panarin’s ridiculous 120-point campaign beat out Trocheck, who scored a career-high 77 points in 2023-24 (although he was a handful of goals shy of his career-high, his lone 30+ goal season back in 2017-18).
How the Caps Can Stop Him: That top trio is dangerous together, but a lot of that is fueled by Panarin simply being ridiculous and freeing up space for his linemates (similar to an Alex Ovechkin effect, where defenders collapse on him out of sheer terror). So just like with Lafreniere, the Caps need to be aware of Trocheck and not overcompensate for Panarin’s firepower. Make that whole line play a more grinding, gritty style – because they’ll hate that – or keep them out of the offensive zone altogether. Probably easier said than done…but hey, let’s give it a shot.